Commission discusses water park funding and underutilized parks in Augusta

The future of Augusta's water park project took center stage during the recent SPLOST 9 meeting, as city officials grappled with funding and planning challenges. Commissioner Scott expressed urgency in moving forward with the water park, emphasizing that voters had already approved the initiative. "We have $25 million just sitting there," he noted, urging for concrete ideas on how to utilize the funds effectively.

Currently, the proposed water park is estimated to cost $55 million, prompting discussions on design and funding strategies. The city is actively exploring options to ensure the project does not stall for another decade.

In addition to the water park, the meeting highlighted concerns over the management of underutilized parks across Richmond County. Commissioner Bryce raised the issue of maintaining numerous parks that are not being used, suggesting that resources could be better allocated to enhance popular locations like Diamond Lakes and Savannah Rapids. "We need to get rid of some of these parks and take care of the main focused parks," he argued, pointing out safety issues arising from neglected areas.

City officials responded that they are already working on assessing park usage through camera installations, aiming to gather data by September. This information will help determine which parks require funding and which could be repurposed or closed.

The meeting also touched on the management of the city-owned cemetery, with discussions about its integration into the parks department and the need for attention to its upkeep. The cemetery's future, along with the water park and park management strategies, will be revisited in upcoming meetings, as city leaders strive to balance community needs with available resources.